Nasal medicated sponge



Oct. 22, 1929. E. s. RYAN NASAL MEDICA'IED SPONGE Filed June 21, 1928 /ae/ ov' E. 5. Egan w;

Patented Uct. 22, 1929 UITE S'll'iid EDWARD SYLVESTEP; RYAN, OF SH'EBGYGl-AN, VJ'ISCONSIN NASAL MEDICATED SPONGE Application filed June Q1,

This invention relates to nasal medicated sponges.

lit is a well known fact that most of the diseases of the respiratory system enter by way of the nose. It has been found from extensive research in this field that sprays, "ashes, and other of the common treatments, do not relieve the condition of infection in the nose. It has been found that the medicament is washed from the inner surfaces of the nose by the secretions and that it has such a slight period during which it can act that very little benelit is secured. Further than this, the irregularities in the nose prevent a complete and thorough contact of the medicament.

This invention is designed to provide a medicated compressed sponge which is adapted to be easily inserted into the nose with a minimum of discomfort to the patient and which when inserted, will swell and contact with the irregular portions of the nasal cavity from one end to the other and will completely fill the irregularity of the nose and hold the medicament in direct contact with such surfaces for any desired period, so that there is a thorough and complete and lengthy treatment of the infected area.

A further object of this invention is to provide a medicated, compressed nasal sponge which is adapted for either cities or home treatment, which may be easily inserted, and easily removed by merely blowing the nose.

An embodimentof the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the left nostril showing the sponge in place before it has expanded;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing the sponge after it has expanded;

Figure a is a sectional view on the line .h-h of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the device consists of a relatively flat compressed and elongated sponge, preferably of such a shape that it has a fairly constricted portion 1 at one end and an enlarged portion 2 at the other end. The sponge may be formed 1528. Serial No. 237,094.

of medicated wool, cotton, sponge, or other absorbent material. It is compressed so that it is relatively flat and thin, preferably from one to two millimeters thick, and of a length and depth which may be of varying sizes to 5 accommodate children and adults.

The sponge may also have starch or paraffin added thereto for firmness and a lubricant may be incorporated with the sponge, such, for instance, as petroleum jelly, glycerine, etc., to facilitate its introduction.

A very easy method of introducing this sponge is to moisten its edges with a little water to soften them and thereafter to insert the sponge as shown in Figure 1. The sponge will immediately swell from the secretions of the nose and will completely till the nasal cavity from one end to the other and will shape itself to conform to and contact with the irregular surface of the nose.

The sponge is left in place from twenty minutes to an hour and will hold the medicament directly in contact with the infected tissue. The sponge may be readily removed by merely blowing the nose.

It will be seen that a very simple type of nasal treating sponge has been provided by this invention which fulfills a long felt need, as it provides a means for securing contact of the medicament with the interior surface of the nose, irrespective of the irregularities therein.

Further, it will be seen that the sponge insures the retention of the medicament in direct contact with the inner surface of the nose for any desired length of time, so that an eX- tended treatment may be effected.

Further, it is to be noted that the device may be very cheaply manufactured and easily used. 90

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim:

1. An elongated, compressed medicated sponge unit adapted for insertion through the nasal cavity from one end to the other, a restricted portion at one end of the unit and an enlarged portion at the other end, said unit being adapted to expand Within the nose by I the nasal secretions to thereby completely fill the nasal cavity and hold the medicament in contact with the surface of the nasal cavity, said sponge being adapted when in expanded form to contact with irregularities of the nasal passage.

2. An elongated, compressed medicated sponge unit adapted for insertion through the nasal cavity from one end to the other, said unit being adapted to expand Within the nose by the nasal secretions thereby to completely fill the nasal cavity and hold a medi'cant in contact with the surface of the nasal cavity, a stiffner added to the sponge unit to impart firmness'thereto, and said sponge unit being adapted when in expanded form to contact the irregularities of the nasal passage.

3. An elongated, compressed medicated spongeunit adapted for insertion to the nasal cavity from one end to the other, a restricted portion at one end 03.- the unit and an enlarged portion at the; other end, said sponge unit having a lubricant applied thereto to facilitate introduction into the nasal cavity, said unit being adapted to expand Within the nose by the nasal secretions thereby completely 'filling the nasal cavity holding the medicant in contact with the surface of the nasal cavity, a stifi'ner applied to the sponge unit for imparting firmness thereto and said sponge unit being adapted, When in expanded form to contact With the irregularities of the nasal passage.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin.

EDWARD. SYLVESTER. RYAN. 

